HAM NOT YOUR MAN – WOLFF STILL WATCHING HAMILTON

BREAKING: HAM NOT YOUR MAN – WOLFF STILL WATCHING HAMILTON DESPITE FERRARI F1 SWITCH…Read More

Even after Lewis Hamilton’s highly publicized move to Ferrari for the 2025 season, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admitted that old habits die hard. During the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Wolff revealed that he found himself instinctively keeping tabs on Hamilton’s performance—just as he did when the seven-time world champion was still racing for the Silver Arrows.

Despite now being an opponent, Hamilton still had an unexpected supporter on the Mercedes pit wall. Wolff confessed that while monitoring his own drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, he couldn’t help but check on Hamilton as well.

“When I was looking at the screens at times, the way I looked at it was like we had three drivers,” Wolff admitted. “I was looking at R, U, S (Russell), I was looking at A, N, T (Antonelli), and I was looking at H, A, M (Hamilton). And then you realize, H, A, M is actually with Ferrari and is not with us anymore.”

A Tough Start for Hamilton at Ferrari

Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut with Ferrari didn’t go as smoothly as many expected. The Briton, who won six of his seven world championships with Mercedes, endured a difficult weekend in Melbourne, finishing a disappointing 10th place.

His struggles were attributed to a combination of factors: miscommunication with his new race engineer, Riccardo Adami, strategic errors—such as a bold tyre choice that failed to pay off—and a general lack of competitiveness in Ferrari’s setup compared to its rivals.

For a driver of Hamilton’s caliber, accustomed to fighting at the front, it was far from the dream start he had envisioned. However, Wolff made it clear that even though Hamilton is now part of the competition, there remains a strong emotional connection.

“It still feels strange,” Wolff admitted. “We spent so many years together, and you can’t just switch off that connection overnight. We very much care about how he’s doing. But obviously, on track, he’s the competition now, and we need to beat the competition.”

Mercedes’ New Chapter with Russell and Antonelli

While Hamilton adapts to life at Ferrari, Mercedes has entered a new phase with Russell leading the team and Antonelli making his much-anticipated debut in Formula 1.

The Australian Grand Prix was a solid opening round for the Silver Arrows. Russell finished in a strong third place behind race winner Lando Norris and reigning champion Max Verstappen. Antonelli, despite facing a five-second penalty during the race, was later reinstated to an impressive fourth place following a successful appeal.

Wolff was satisfied with the team’s performance but acknowledged that there is still work to be done to compete consistently at the front.

“I think it’s a solid first weekend,” Wolff said. “But if we look at it from a glass-half-empty perspective, we have to say that McLaren’s pace was extremely strong. That’s something we need to understand—how they manage their tyres and extract performance so effectively. We need to improve if we want to fight for race wins and a championship on merit.”

McLaren’s Unexpected Strength

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the weekend was the performance of McLaren. Norris secured his first-ever F1 race win in dominant fashion, showing a level of pace that caught many—including Mercedes—off guard.

The British team’s ability to extract performance and manage tyre degradation played a key role in their victory. Even Verstappen, the pre-season favorite, had no answer to Norris’ speed once the track conditions stabilized.

For Mercedes, this presents an added challenge. While they were initially expected to battle Red Bull and Ferrari for supremacy, McLaren’s sudden rise means that the competition at the top has become even fiercer.

“It’s clear McLaren has taken a big step forward,” Wolff acknowledged. “Their car was incredibly strong in Melbourne, and we need to understand where they have gained that extra pace. If we want to be serious contenders, we must find a way to close that gap.”

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 season unfolds, the dynamics at the front of the grid are shaping up to be more unpredictable than ever. While Red Bull remains a strong force with Verstappen at the helm, McLaren has proven that it is capable of winning races. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Mercedes both have work to do to ensure they remain in the title fight.

For Hamilton, the journey with Ferrari is just beginning, and the struggles of his debut weekend will likely serve as valuable lessons for future races. Despite the early setbacks, the seven-time champion is known for his ability to bounce back—and with a team as prestigious as Ferrari, expectations will remain high.

As for Mercedes, Wolff and his team are focused on refining their package to challenge for wins consistently. While Russell and Antonelli showed promise in Melbourne, the next few races will be crucial in determining whether the Silver Arrows can mount a serious title challenge.

One thing is certain: even though Hamilton is no longer in a Mercedes, Wolff’s interest in his former driver remains. Whether as a mentor, a rival, or simply out of old habits, the Austrian team boss will undoubtedly continue to keep an eye on the progress of the man who helped define Mercedes’ golden era in Formula 1.

With the season just beginning, all eyes are now on the next race to see how these evolving rivalries play out on track.